Cycle Along the Archipelago Trail on the Åland Main Island
Discover what you can experience along the Åland Archipelago Trail on the main island of Åland. Here you’ll find inspiration and tips for exploring the route from Prästö in Sund in the north to Lumparland in the south.
Prästö, Sund
The first stop along the main island section of the Åland Archipelago Trail is Prästö, located just a stone’s throw from the Töftö cable ferry. Here, a nature trail offers plenty to discover for visitors interested in history. Along the trail, you’ll pass several old cemeteries that reflect the many religions represented in the area during the construction of the Bomarsund Fortress. Rich in history, the area also offers beautiful hiking through forests and open landscapes.
Bomarsund, Sund
From Prästö, the road continues across a strait to the Bomarsund Fortress area. Here, you can download the Coastal Past app and let it guide you through the historic surroundings. In June 2022, a new visitor centre opened, where you can, for example, experience a virtual reconstruction of what the area looked like in the 1850s.
Right next to the main fortress is Furulundsgården, a restaurant and café open during the summer season.
Kastelholm, Sund
About 10 kilometres from Bomarsund lies Kastelholm, an area with plenty to offer visitors interested in food, culture, and history. Here you can visit Åland’s only castle, the open-air museum Jan Karlsgården, enjoy a meal at Restaurant Smakbyn, or play golf on Slottsbanan – the top-rated course at Ålands Golf Club.
At Jan Karlsgårdens Wärdshus, you’ll find a bakery and café, and you can also learn more about Åland Distillery. In addition to lunch or dinner at Smakbyn, you can watch handmade candy being crafted at Karamelleriet and browse stylish ceramics at a local pottery shop.
The area also features a nine-hole disc golf course that is open year-round.
Godby, Finström
Godby is Åland’s second-largest center after Mariehamn. Here you’ll find a sports centre with a swimming hall, grocery stores, and other services such as a pharmacy and bank.
On the northern side of Godby, the café Uffe på Berget features a lookout tower with beautiful views over the surrounding area.
Just outside Godby, the local brewery Stallhagen welcomes visitors for guided tours and beer tastings. The pub in the same building is well known for its traditional home-cooked food. There is also a shop where you can buy local beers to take home.
The bakery and café Johannas Hembakta, located in Grelsby just outside central Godby, is a perfect stop for a coffee break.
Jomala
From Godby, the road continues across rural landscapes towards Jomala and Mariehamn. Along the way, you can stop at Jomala Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Finland. The church tower dates back to the late 13th century.
Mariehamn
The only town in the Åland Islands offers plenty to see and do, especially when it comes to museums of a very high standard. In the same building, you can visit both the Åland Museum of Cultural History and the Åland Art Museum.
The Åland Maritime Museum has been named the best museum in Finland, and the museum ship Pommern is a truly unique experience and an absolute must-see. The ship is open to visitors during the summer season.
Families with children will enjoy the swimming centre Mariebad, as well as the recreational island Lilla Holmen, located just a short walk from the town centre. Here you’ll find a beach, beach volleyball court, playground, and small animals.
Visitors interested in handicrafts and traditional shipbuilding should also visit the Maritime Quarter on the eastern side of Mariehamn.
Mariehamn is home to many restaurants and cafés, as well as a wide range of comfortable hotels. Distances are short, making it easy to explore the town on foot.
Lemland
A lovely first stop on the way east from Mariehamn is the art museum Önningebymuseet. Open during the summer season, the museum features artwork from the turn of the 20th century depicting the surrounding landscape.
The Lemström Canal is an important shortcut for boaters and a popular stop for an ice cream in summer. Other worthwhile stops in Lemland include Amalias Limonad, known for its homemade soft drinks, Open Water Brewery, and the local museum Skeppargården Pellas – a historic shipowner’s home.
If you are looking for accommodation, Amalias Bed & Breakfast in Lemland is open year-round.
The Åland Archipelago Trail continues to Svinö in Lumparland, where you can begin the next stage of the journey by taking the ferry to Degerby in Föglö.
Please note that if you travel with a bike on the archipelago ferries, you need to purchase your ticket in advance. Tickets can only be purchased on the Ålandstrafiken website or at the Ålandstrafiken office in Mariehamn.
> Read about the Åland Archipelago south-eastern trail
